Transit Bus Accidents

Skilled team advocates for clients

Bus accidents can happen at any time and leave a devastating impact on a victim’s life. Whether a child is traveling on a school bus or an adult is traveling by city transit, passengers are entrusting the driver, company, and other responsible parties to safely transport them from one location to the next. Being involved in a bus accident is the very last thing passengers expect. Unfortunately, accidents do happen.

Bus accidents can have significant consequences for those involved, and even those not directly involved. Injured passengers often suffer immensely, both financially and physically. Bus accidents can create an overwhelming burden on passengers, as well as their families.

Fortunately, courts across the state of New Jersey provide bus accident victims with the ability to recover compensation for their injuries and damages. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Brady, Brady & Reilly, LLC have been helping New Jersey residents who have been injured in a bus or mass transit accident obtain compensation for their injuries since 1965. We provide aggressive representation to all of our clients. With almost 50 years in practice, we have established an excellent reputation and record of proven results. We will work diligently on your behalf can help you claim a full and fair amount of reparations.

When And How Bus Accidents Happen

Given the number of passengers within a bus, as well as the size and weight of the vehicle, accidents involving buses are more likely to result in a higher number of injured passengers and a greater chance of serious injuries. By law, bus drivers are required to provide passengers with duty of care on the roadways. Passengers are expected to have:

Safe entryways and exits on buses;

Adequate and reliable security;

Drivers who are qualified and remain in control of the bus at all times;

Buses that are properly maintained and routinely inspected; and

Immediate response to problems onboard.

Although passengers often assume bus drivers are responsible for accidents, it may not always be the case. It is imperative to determine who is at fault for your bus accident in order to collect fair indemnities for your injuries and damages.

Determining Fault in a Bus Accident

There are several parties who can be liable for bus accidents in New Jersey. Determining who is at-fault is often an extremely complicated process. It is crucial to work with an experienced personal injury attorney to help with your case.

Responsible parties in bus accidents include, but are not limited to, the following:

The Driver of the Bus: The person who is driving the bus can be held liable for the accident. In many instances, bus accidents occur due to distracted bus drivers, drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or drivers suffering from fatigue while operating the bus. In other cases, bus drivers engage in traffic violations that endanger passengers and cause accidents.

Transit Company: In certain cases, bus accident victims are able to file personal injury lawsuits against the transit company. These cases often involve companies that fail to maintain their vehicles appropriately, which results in accidents.

Municipal Entities: When bus accidents involve city buses, the city, county, or state government can be found at-fault for injuries sustained by victims. It is crucial to work with an experienced attorney who is familiar with all the red tape and regulations surrounding municipal bus accidents.

School Districts or School Boards: Accidents involving school buses can result in school districts being culpable for injuries. Schools who fail to adequately implement or enforce safety standards place children in a vulnerable position. Accidents which could have been prevented through enforcement of guidelines can result in personal injury lawsuits against a school board or district.

Bus Parts Manufacturers: Companies that make and ship out defective parts for buses can be held responsible in the event that an accident results from the defective part. In some instances, liability can extend to the retailer who sold the defective part as well.

Third-Party Drivers: There are several instances where bus accidents occur due to other drivers on the roads. These cases involve car drivers who cut off buses, crash into them, or cause accidents for other reasons. These accidents are often more challenging because injured parties will need to obtain insurance information for the at-fault driver.

It is crucial to hire an experienced and reputable personal injury attorney to handle your bus accident case. Doing so will enable you to focus on your recovery knowing your best interest is protected.

Common Injuries in Bus Accidents

Individuals who are injured in bus accidents almost always suffer minor injuries, like cuts and abrasions. Bus accidents often force passengers out of their seats, causing them to be thrown around at seats, other passengers, and the metal structure of the bus itself. For this reason, it is common for victims to suffer from torn or sprained ligaments, severed limbs, broken bones, or internal organ damage. Sometimes, back injuries, whiplash, herniated disks, concussions, or serious head trauma can occur. In the most severe instances, the trauma will result in death.

Unfortunately, bus accident injuries can have a very devastating impact on a person’s life. Victims are able to obtain compensation for some of the financial damages they suffer from their accidents.

Damages Available To Bus Accident Victims

Victims of bus accidents are able to win reimbursement for an array of damages sustained in the crash. Some of the most common awards for victims include:

Lost wages;

Medical expenses;

Pain and suffering;

Mental anguish;

Loss of consortium;

Property damage; and

Punitive damages.

An Experienced New Jersey Bus Accident Attorney Can Help You

If you are injured in a bus accident, it is important to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to ensure the best outcome for your claim. The attorneys at Brady, Brady & Reilly, LLC are dedicated to helping accident victims get the compensation they deserve for their injuries.

Our team of experienced attorneys advocate for the rights of our clients. We have more than 50 years of personal injury law experience successfully representing residents of Essex County, Hudson County and throughout North Jersey. We are dedicated to conducting investigations that help build clients’ cases and present the most accurate and thorough evidence available. Contact our law firm today at (201) 997-0030 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Our team of trusted lawyers at Brady, Brady & Reilly, LLC will review the circumstances surrounding your case in order to determine the best legal routes available. Call us today to get started.